A/N: Here it is! It's been a while, I know, but I've finally finished it. And it's pretty good if I do say so myself(;
Enjoy!
Reaping.
Jonathan Carnahan was drunk.
He wasn't sure how many bottles of the hard liquor he had consumed the pervious night. All he knew was he woke up in a strange house, sleeping in a strange bed, next to a not so strange girl. Naked.
He sat up slowly, gazing around the room still engulfed in sleep. Wincing in pain, he clutched his head, feeling like it was about to explode. He'd been drunk before; many times before. But he never seemed to learn.
Drinking does not get rid of your problems.
His sister's name was still in that drawing pool.
And that other man... What was his name again?
Jonathan struggled with his conscience as he began lugging his pants back on.
Oh yes. Rick. His name was in there too. But Rick was a man who could take care of himself out there.
Not his sister. His baby sister; with her sweet, ladylike personality, obsession with old, dusty books, clumsiness, and her ability to put up with boring old people in boring old libraries. She was an Englishwoman, not one to typically pick fights with other teenagers in a man made battlefield. But Jonathan couldn't help but turning his memory back to their adventure in Egypt, how his little sister took on that mummified bastard like she'd been doing it her whole life.
Evy did like Egypt. A lot.
Jonathan rubbed his forehead, already blowing his thinking limit for the day. It was not like the man could help it.
Today was Reaping Day.
When he successfully got his shoes on right, Jonathan groggily walked out the front door, completely forgetting about the girl he had shared his night with.
But a more important business was at hand.
Evy was going to kill him.
Well, kill was a strong word. He'd been drunk before; many times before. And he always got the same reaction from his sister: You idiot.
He was especially worried for this day in particular, though. Reaping day.
It was their first, and their last. Evelyn and Rick were both eighteen, which meant that their names had to be in at least seven times. Rick, however, had more than that. Jonathan was two years older than his sister, which was good for him, because he would never win those bloody games if his name were to be drawn. Jonathan Carnahan was a coward; he didn't even have trouble admitting it.
The house Evy and Rick bought was only a street down from whichever house he woke up in, though he found the journey more treacherous than he had remembered it to be. The sun was already starting to rise above the trees, which made Jonathan swear. He fumbled a bit with his watch as he checked the time. It was eleven thirty, and the reaping was at noon.
His clumsy legs broke into a strained jog as he pushed his wasted body forward down the sidewalk.
Evy was going to kill him.
Evelyn searched in frenzy through her chest of clothes, desperately looking for something to wear for The Reaping.
Gosh, she thought to herself, a year ago I wouldn't have this issue!
Since they were only allowed a small space on the boat upon coming to America, she had to cut her wardrobe down to simple blouses and skirts, which was a mistake, because dirt refuses to come out of white clothing, no matter how hard one tries.
A year ago, Evy would be sitting in the library, reading one of the many books she wished she had ever so badly. She was content then, happy even. She was surrounded by the people she loved, and many other high class scholars she had once worked with.
Life was hard there. Socially, the people wonderful, inviting her and Rick over many times to share what little they had. Others, though, preferred to keep with themselves and stay out of each others way. It was these defining characteristics that left Evelyn wishing she were back home, with Rick living in their small cottage house on the outskirts of the big city.
She forced herself to stop thinking about their old life, tears beginning to creep up on the sides of her eyes. Moping about on Reaping Day didn't help anyone.
"Aha," Evy smiled, pulling out a red lace dress out of her cedar chest. It was the only dress she had brought with her from England, the only thing that still contained memories of her past. She remembered she had bought it two months before her trip to Hamunamptra; some party the Curators were throwing to celebrate the new Ramses exhibit in the museum.
Her hands traced the lace patterns and the soft red fabric of the dress, as if trying to have her fears melt into the last memories of home.
Rick paced back and forth on the faded rug, waiting for Evelyn to get ready and fretting about the exact whereabouts of Jonathan. Rick had to doubts he was or had been completely drunk, but he knew very well the importance of today.
Rick had simply thrown on a button shirt and pants that did not have dirt caked on them.
He didn't know why Evy was putting up such a fuss about picking something to wear- its not like they were in London anymore, where everything had to be absolutely perfect and indefinitely proper.
Just then, faint footsteps were heard banging against the hard stone steps, and Rick knew exactly who they belonged to. The door swung open, and in collapsed Jonathan, pale faced and exasperated. Rick didn't seem in a stupor at all.
"You're late, Jonathan."
His girlfriend's menacing brother let out a loud moan, clutching the base of one of the kitchen chairs to pull himself up.
And after a long, overbearing minute of stuttering and shaking hands, the Englishman was up unsteadily on his feet. He gave Rick a cocky grin, still reeking the odor of a drunk man.
"Common old boy. What's a reaping without a good drink to start it off?" Jonathan drawled.
Rick tried to suppress a smile. "Your sister is gonna kill you, you know,"
At the thought of his bossy little sister, Jonathan grew tense.
"You're not going to be the one to tell her, right O'Connell?" he said with worry. Rick just let out a laugh.
"She's not an idiot, Jonathan," he said slowly, making sure the man was listening entirely. "And you smell like camel shit."
Jonathan rolled his eyes as Rick punched the side of his shoulder. "Besides, it's not like any of us here actually have expectations for you." Rick laughed, seeing the infuriated expression on his face.
"Now you listen here you-"
"Jonathan, is that you?" Evy's voice carried through the ghostly halls. Rick's laugh increased as Jonathan turned panicked, still showing telltale signs of his previous festivities.
Evelyn walked into the room where the two men stood, arms folded, eyes directed towards her brother in a cross stare.
"Um- Evy! Fancy seeing you here!" Jonathan raced for the words in his mouth.
Her icy gaze was was beginning to make the men in the room uncomfortable once it was positive that she wasn't about to jump in and say something. She exchanged glances from Jonathan to rick, Rick to Jonathan. Then her eyes shot towards Rick, who was still trying to retain the humor on his face.
"You think this is funny?" Evelyn said in disbelief.
Rick immediately wiped it off his face and replaced it with a firm old frown. "No-. Course not- by the way, you look amazing in that dress." he said, putting a smile on that he knew she would love.
Much to his relief, Evelyn's face softened a bit towards him as she fiddled with the hem of the dress.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she added. Rick was surprised by this comment, since the only thing she ever noted about his appearance was the often need to shave or regularly wash his clothes.
Evy gave a quick glance to her wristwatch before dashing over to the window, causing an uproar of dust.
"We've got to get over there before they kill us all for being late!" she insisted, opening the door and pushing her brother out of it. He stumbled off the steps and eventually found his balance.
Evy preceded down the steps, followed by Rick, avoiding the sour comments Jonathan was mumbling.
"I'll deal with you later." she kvetched, walking away without another word. Jonathan sighed loudly, and trailed behind his sister and her boisterous boyfriend, head low.
The trek to downtown square was a peaceful one, passing endless fields of golden wheat, lightly brushed with a irrecent breeze that tousled Evelyn's hair so softly as if a playful whisper with many secrets to tell.
It was comforting, too, the strong fragrance of earth and freshly toiled soil, making her almost forget she was about to attend a reaping, instead of the occasional walk in order to clear her mind. And yes, with a brother like Jonathan, her mind needed a good clearing quite often.
As if sensing the gitters in her stomach, Rick held out his hand and took hers, as if his own strength could be transfused over to the only girl he cared about, insomuch that, if he needed to, Rick would give everything he had for. He already gave up his luxury cell at the Cairo prison, what else could a man want? The scene still played over and over in his head, like a never ending melody. Her bright and omniscient brown eyes, her soft lips, and the way she edged closer to him that wonderful morning? Beautiful.
Rick had never really had anything of a home; but when he was around her, he felt more at peace then he ever had before. He moved his hand away from hers and swung his arm around her shoulders; letting her sweet aroma carry him to a higher place, lighten his spirits. Rick hoped Evelyn couldn't tell how nervous he was. It was hard to believe that in less than thirty minutes, someone they knew- a neighbor, friend, maybe someone they never knew- was going to a war unlike he had ever heard of before. A war that made fighting Tuaregs and ancient desert warriors look obscurant. He'd killed many men before. But to spill others blood just to fill the empty hearts of the citizens? He shuddered at the thought.
Ugh. Rick's getting mushy again.
Jonathan muttered to himself. It was always the same: Rick would come home, Evy would be thrilled, and leave him in the dust like he wasn't even there. The only way his sister would ever really talk to him was when Rick wasn't home. Other than that, Evy would always find the worst time to pick out all of his flaws, to yell and nag at him because he was- well... Jonathan. There were times when the two siblings got along, like when their parents died. Jonathan himself tried avoiding this particular subject, finding it hard to believe that only two years ago, their happy little family was together- bound by love- and impenetrable. It wasn't the loss of his parents that made eschew, it was that painful memory of his little sister- she was the one they loved more. They felt the same way about Evy that Jonathan did. She was everyone's baby, the one everyone favored more. Jonathan may have been the one cleaver with the ladies, but evelyn was smart. And apparently smartness overruled wittiness in his family.
She was a wreck when they died.
Jonathan tried to be there for her, but it was hard. He had to force her out of her room to eat. Push her to talk- get rid of her depression when others were around. And practically drag her anywhere out of the house. Jonathan had taken her in, since she was under age at the time and would've been sent to another home. She owed him that. He tried being a brother to her, but it was difficult at times. He was Jonathan, after all.
He made a face towards the couple. Evy was bright and bubbly as ever around him now, that was a plus. Or maybe the slight confidence change occurred from being kidnapped by a walking, talking, bag of bandages. Maybe having Rick around wasn't such a bad thing, after all.
"Common Jonathan!" he heard his sister call from the distance. Jonathan hadn't realized how far he'd fallen behind. They were both small figures in his eyes; so was the distinct outline of center square: where the drawings were to be held. He mustered up the energy, shoved his erstwhile thoughts aside, and started off on a lopsided jog towards the others.
By the time Jonathan caught up, though, the three were already surrounded by mobs and herds of people, walking every which way like lost sheep. Peacekeepers were everywhere too, gesturing in a calm fashion to the different age groups. Evy never thought it would be this- well... Insane. Being from a proper society, she was used to things being quieter- more relaxed and luxurious. Even the few parties her brother forced her to attend were never this bad.
Images played tricks with her mind; images of blazing white sand and the chills of the night air. Screams, gunshots, impulsion... Insanity.
A hand grips her shoulder in a sudden motion. Whipping around, the sight of the flashy white uniform was enough evidence to say the hand belonged to a peacekeeper.
"Move along." he said gruffly, before turning his attention to a group of younger aged children.
"I'll be waiting over by the side, okay?" Jonathan almost had to yell over the noise. Evy just nodded, avoiding his eyes so he didn't have to see her pain. But Jonathan could see enough. He wanted to reach out and embrace her, tell her that everything would be alright. That's what he had told her that dreary day four years ago. Even then he knew this was a lie.
Soon though, the current of people pushing him in a thousand different ways at once.
Rick was having the same issue, finding it hard to stay planted where he wanted to be in front of the one he loved. He pulled her close, sending relief into her trembling body.
"Everything will be fine, okay? Promise." Rick said softly, so only she could hear.
"I love you," she said with a shaky voice, as he pulled away from her.
Evy's eyes opened, and let out a flood of comfort when she saw his bright and dignified face.
Letting go of her was one of the hardest things Rick had ever done. The air around him suddenly felt thick and heavy, the stress emanating from each and every person, collecting into a pool of misery and godlessness. He easily found the rest of the eighteen year olds, beginning to show the churning emotions that had been building up inside of him for weeks now. Rick was never one to believe in God, but know, that's all he had.
Jonathan was a nervous wreck. Most of the alcohol was officially out of his system, but something else had replaced it faster than he could stop it. This was triggered when he witnessed the look of desperation in his sister's eyes as he walked away from her. It felt like his heart was just ripped in two. Why it had to be her was still a mystery to him. Jonathan had always believed he had some duty to her as a big brother, though most of the time it was the other way around. Still, he had looked after her all those years. Even if he had a little help from time to time from Evy. Right now, though, he was completely powerless.
The roped section Jonathan was currently in was condensing more and more rapidly. He had to work his way to the front, through annoyed prospectors and furious wives, just to get a clear view of what was unfolding before them. In his mad attempt through the crowds, the mayor of district six, mayor Helmsworth, had taken his seat on one of the three padded seats up on stage. Following him was a young lady- a beautiful young lady in his taste- wearing a broad smile as well as a blue dress that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Jonathan instantly remembered her from an add in the paper- she was once a victor. Unlike all the other previous visitors here, she didn't throw all her money away, dye her hair purple, and get addicted to morphling. Unlike the others, she was successful.
As if adding to Jonathan's thoughts, the last woman to appear on stage, a tall, bone skinny, with green streaked hair came plodding onto the stage to her seat. The heels on her platform shoes were so ginormous, Jonathan was wondering if she would end up falling off the stage and flat on her face.
Instead of taking a seat next to the others, she continued marching all the way to the microphone perched in the dead center of the stage. The district itself seemed to hold its breath.
"Welcome, district six, to the eight annual Hunger Games!"
No one cheered.
Jonathan has been to many parties before, most of them thrown at his local pub back in London- Evy had called it his second home.
He must've been delusional as to thinking this would be a celebration.
"With no further adue, let's get started! As usual," her voice held mock excitement within the tight lipped smile. "Ladies first,"
Her hand plunged into the large crystal bowl that was this districts yearly fate.
After fishing it around for seconds that were agonizing, her fingers tightened around one paper, closing around the throat of one of their own. She lifted the paper to her eyes and unwrapped it vigorously, taking a glance of her own at the name before her mouth opened to the people.
"Evelyn Carnahan."
Another huge thank you to Lady Elena Dawson for her review. Hope this one was as bloody brilliant as the last.(:
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